9th Basie Awards Celebrate Student Excellence in Theater

RED BANK – Productions of “Evita” by Middletown High School South and “The Three Musketeers” by Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School took top honors at this year’s Basie Awards, the 9th annual installment of the Count Basie Theatre’s celebration and recognition of excellence and achievement in high school theater.

In total, 46 performances were attended and reviewed by the “Basies” evaluation committee, consisting of professional actors, singers, directors, choreographers, M.F.A. students and graduates.

Both “Evita” and “The Three Musketeers” nabbed Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Production trophies for their respective categories, “Evita” for musicals and “The Three Musketeers” for drama. Combined, the productions took home 10 Basies, including: ”The Three Muskeeters’” Christopher Brodsky for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, Christopher Tuttle for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama and the trophy for Outstanding Lighting Design in a Drama.

In addition to earning hardware for overall production and direction, “Evita” also earned awards for Outstanding Choreography (Jacqui Mazza) and Outstanding Chorus in a Musical.

“In our ninth year of evaluating talent for the Basie Awards, we were pleased to see so many vibrant, creative and compelling performances across Monmouth County,” Count Basie Theatre Education director Yvonne Lamb Scudiery said. “The participants realize the true value of mounting a production: the lasting memories, the personal growth, the camaraderie and fun! In our opinion, that far surpasses the momentary thrill of winning an award.”

“As a kid who did high school theater myself, I know how important it is for someone to recognize that what you’re doing is worthwhile,” said Middletown High School South theatrical teacher Alicia Kozak, who won for Best Direction. “The Basies do that. It’s like the high school Tonys of Monmouth County. It makes kids feel great about themselves.”

In addition to awards for theatrical excellence, the Basies also bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award to Joan and Robert Rechnitz, who founded the renowned Two River Theater in Red Bank two decades ago.

“I can think of few people who have done more for the arts in Monmouth County other than Dr. and Mrs. Rechnitz,” Count Basie Theatre CEO Adam Philipson said. “In creating the Two River Theatre, we recognize that they share our vision of maintaining Red Bank’s status as New Jersey’s cultural and entertainment epicenter.”

Also recognized was Bailey Warder, winner of the theater’s first-ever Moser-Toboada Scholarship. Established by the Moser Toboada Law Firm of Shrewsbury, the $2,500 scholarship will be awarded yearly to one high school senior whose life, academic and career choice has been impacted by the arts. Warder, a student at Shore Regional High School, will attend Rutgers University next year to begin studies in biology with the goal of becoming a geneticist.

Winners of 2014 Basie Awards are:

In Dramatic Presentations

Outstanding Set Design in a Drama: Howell High School, “Tartuffe,” Tim Carpenter